Hawaii Costco stores are as popular with visitors as they are with those of us who live here. Management tells us that one-third of all Costco Hawaii sales go to visitors.
Here’s a list of things we highly recommend and some flops to avoid on your Hawaii vacation.
Here’s something surprising you won’t find at Costco: ukuleles. Costco Hawaii stores have occasionally sold these but no longer stock them.
1. Flower Lei.
Not called leis, the same word is singular and plural in Hawaiian. In any case, Costco regularly carries leis with starting prices as low as $5 each (actually two for $9.99). They also sell more interesting lei, starting at around $15.
BOH: If you’re at Costco, it’s a great place to buy them. However, if you’re looking for something more exotic, this isn’t the best choice.
Here’s a tip on how to present a lei to someone. Hang it over your shoulders instead of your neck. A lei is a way of honoring the recipient on their birthday, anniversary, or other personal milestone. Gifted or worn anytime, for any occasion, it has become a symbol of Hawaii.
2. Surfboards and bodyboards.
For surf and bodyboard fans, there’s no better place to hit the water than here. Because the islands have spots year-round, you can pick up a board in Hawaii and then take it home with you when you leave. Some Costco employees say visitors want to return their boards to Costco before leaving the islands. Costco does not have a “board loan” program. So if it is claimed, you are out of luck. Read below to see if your airline charges you for home shipping.
On a recent visit we noticed that Costco sells great one and two packs of decent bodyboards. The ones pictured above were only $45. There were also surfboards available. The 8-foot foam models below were only $120. Sometimes they also sell paddle boards.
BOH: The bodyboards offer great value for money. We’ve seen the same ones at Walmart for $35 more.
By the way, this is how it works to bring the boards home from Hawaii:
On American Airlines, surfboards are charged the regular checked baggage fee. No extra charge. The same is also true for Alaska Airlines, where a surfboard counts as baggage. Southwest Airlines has a great deal: fly surfboards under 50 pounds as one of your two free checked bags. For heavier boards it costs $75.
On the other hand, Delta Airlines charges a $150 fee for surfboards. So if you’re traveling with them, this might not be the best plan. Hawaiian Airlines charges $100 for a surfboard inspection. Finally, to our knowledge, United Airlines considers surfboards as normal checked baggage into California. On the other hand, if you’re traveling beyond California, expect to pay at least $150 for your board when traveling with you.
BOH: Bodyboards at Costco are great value. If you’re traveling with a surfboard, your best bet is to fly to Alaska, America, or the Southwest.
2. Candy, nuts and chocolate-covered mac-nuts.
These popular candies and many others are available at Hawaii Costco stores. They are supplied in bulk packs to give away and in bags to eat, sometimes also individually wrapped. Packs of 6 Mac nuts are also on sale. Many think that macadamia nuts originated in Hawaii, but they are actually native to Australia. They were introduced to Hawaii in the early 1880s and are grown primarily on the Big Island.
BOH: typically great prices compared to grocery and specialty stores, Walmart, Target or Longs.
3. Fresh local sushi and Hawaiian poke.
Popular with both visitors and locals, Hawaiian Poke is sold in a variety of forms at Costco. In addition, Hawaii Costco stores also prepare local sushi in each store (From $9.49). Inexpensive and high quality.
BOH: A great lunch or dinner grab-and-go at Costco. Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish made from diced raw fish. This lomi salmon was $12.99. This is now a global phenomenon. We even saw poke shops in London last month.
4. Local Hawaiian Pineapple.
You might find even more interesting pineapples at the farmers’ market in Hawaii, but you can’t beat the year-round availability and prices under $4. Costco pineapples are grown locally on Maui. Pineapple can also clear farming at the airport provided it is in good condition and has no weak spots.
5. Hawaiian style car seat covers.
These are also popular with residents and visitors and can be slid onto the seats of your rental car before driving home. Inexpensive and relatively durable, with beautiful Hawaiian designs, starting at around $20 for a 2-pack.
6. Hawaii Beer, Wine and Spirits.
Lots of choices, including these cases of Hawaiian-made beer for $31 (24 cans).
7. Sunglasses.
8. Lots of local Hawaiian produce.
Local Products: Hawaii Costco stores specialize in many local products. Offerings range from mac nuts, coffee, chips and snacks to cookies, bread, honey and more. Also check out Hurricane Popcorn for $15.49.
9. Local Seafood.
From Kauai shrimp to Hawaii, ahi ($16.99 per pound), ono, swordfish and other shrimp have been caught depending on the season. Perfect for your barbecue evening in the holiday apartment.
9. Everything for the beach.
From Hawaiian-themed towels ($11.00) to reef-friendly sunscreen, snorkel gear, swim goggles (3 for $16), swimsuits and more.
10. Hawaiian souvenirs of all kinds.
Whether for yourself or someone else, consider Hawaiian t-shirts ($19.99) and other apparel, hats and more that will make your trip memorable for years to come.
1. Dairy products.
Unless you need large quantities, you’re probably better off at Safeway Stores or Target. That goes for milk, cream, butter, etc. For the same price, you can buy organic milk in 1/2 gallon quantities from Target without having to buy three.
2. Produce.
Partly it is fine, but it can also rot quickly and is available in large quantities. We can get frustrated with the shelf life of their products, and we live here. But going back to the store to return it – no thanks.
3. Soft drinks and mineral water.
Again, usually in too large a quantity to be used on vacation. Try Target, Safeway, or Walmart instead.
4. Anything else that has been oversold.
They cover the whole range of their products and sometimes it is even difficult to consume them living here.
And a questionable question: should you buy Costco gas?
It all depends. Previously we wrote, “Hawaii visitors waste no time shopping at Costco.” This article caught your attention, has been read 100,000 times, and has a lot of interesting comments.
Today the price difference compared to the neighboring gas station was small. But if you’re already at Costco and there isn’t a long line, why not. On the other hand, the potential savings compared to a very long queue while on vacation probably doesn’t make sense.
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